The Best and Worst of the 1992 Soul Train Music Awards
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What were the best and worst moments of the 1992 Soul Train Music Awards? Let’s take a look back at this now-iconic event!
The Best
The best thing about the 1992 Soul Train Music Awards was the performances. Some of the best R&B and soul singers of the time took the stage and gave unforgettable performances. Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, and Toni Braxton were just a few of the stars who graced the stage that night. The energy in the room was electric, and it was clear that the performers were giving it their all. It was a night to remember for sure.
Best R&B Male Vocalist – Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross won the award for Best R&B Male Vocalist at the 1992 Soul Train Music Awards. He beat out Babyface, Barry White, Johnny Gill, and Michael Bolton for the honor. Vandross was also nominated for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.
Best R&B Female Vocalist – Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s run of five consecutive wins in this category is nothing short of staggering, and if anything, 1992 might have been her best year. She won Grammys for Record and Album of the Year, and her soundtrack for The Bodyguard was one of the biggest albums of all time. But it was her live performance of “I Will Always Love You” at the American Music Awards that truly cemented her status as a legend.
Best R&B Group – En Vogue
It would take years for the ladies of En Vogue to receive the recognition they deserved. The group did manage to snag the award for Best R&B Group at the 1992 Soul Train Music Awards, but their work was far from done.
Best New Artist – TLC
The American girl group TLC won the award for Best New Artist at the 1992 Soul Train Music Awards. The group was up against some stiff competition in the form of Arrested Development, Boyz II Men, Kris Kross, and SWV, but ultimately took home the prize. TLC would go on to have a hugely successful career, selling over 65 million records worldwide and winning five Grammy Awards.
The Worst
The 1992 Soul Train Music Awards were held on March 8, 1992, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California. The show was hosted by Sinbad and featured performances by Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Bell Biv DeVoe, En Vogue, and more. The awards were not without their share of controversy, however.
Worst Dressed – TLC
It’s hard to believe that there was a time when TLC wouldn’t have made best dressed lists. But in 1992, they unfortunately landed on the worst list for their getups at the Soul Train Music Awards. The group was known for their fun, funky style, but these muumuus did not capture that spirit.
Most Disappointing Album – Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous”
The King of Pop’s first album in eight years, “Dangerous,” was not well-received by critics. Jackson was accused of selling out and trying to appeal to a younger demographic with this album, which featured heavy dance and R&B influences. The album was a commercial success, but many felt it was a far cry from the brilliance of Jackson’s previous work.
Most Overrated Artist – Madonna
Madonna may have been one of the most popular artists of the 1980s, but by 1992, her star had begun to fade. At the Soul Train Music Awards that year, she was nominated for three awards, including Best R&B/Soul Single – Female for “This Used to Be My Playground” (which lost to Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”) and Best R&B/Soul Album – Female for Erotica (which lost to Toni Braxton’s self-titled debut album). She did manage to win one award, however: Best Dance Performance – Solo for “Vogue.” Madonna may have been a big name in the 1980s, but by 1992, she was no longer the queen of pop.
